Happy birthday, Mr. Mayor. It's not exactly the White House, or even the California first lady's office. But Santa Monica City Hall does have one of the more potent and groundbreaking political bodies on the West Coast, and now it has a member of the Kennedy clan, Bobby Shriver, as its leader.

The City Council this week elected Shriver, brother of California first lady Maria Shriver, as its mayor, a mostly ceremonial position, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press. He replaces Ken Genser, a longtime City Council member who died in February. The mayor serves a two-year term.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.